Dear Sheridan County Neighbor:
Sheridan College has kicked off its 61st fall semester. For the fifth year in a row, we enrolled more students than the previous fall semester. Sheridan County has a long standing tradition of supporting local higher education. That is just one of the many reasons I feel fortunate to be serving you in my new position as President of this exceptional college. The purpose of my letter is to explain the value of a community college education, provide insight about our students, and share a brief look into the future of Sheridan College.
Community Colleges are a Great Investment
Nearly half of the total undergraduate students in the nation are studying at a community college. In addition to providing critical training to enter the workforce with a certificate or associate’s degree, community colleges also provide students supportive environments for freshman and sophomore level studies on their way to a career or a bachelor’s or graduate degree from any university – often at a much lower cost.
SC Benefits the Student
- Sheridan College’s tuition is very low – tuition, fees and books cost approximately $3,000 to enroll here full-time for two semesters.
- As much as $12,000 can be saved by attending SC for two years before transferring to a four-year college or university.
- The American Association of Community Colleges estimates that an associate degree will increase a graduate’s earnings by an average of $7,200 annually. That is a good rate of return for a students investment in his or her education.
SC Benefits the Community
- As the tenth largest employer in the county, employing almost 200 full-time and 80 part-time, Sheridan College is proud to contribute $12.6 million per year to the local economy in the form of wages, salaries, and benefits.
- We spent a total of $17 million in Sheridan County just last year. Our 2010-11 operating budget is funded 21% by tuition and fees, 68% from the state, and 11% from our local taxes. We are thankful for the support from our county and state.
About our SC Students
- SC provides educational opportunities for about $1,800 students each semester.
- We are serving more students than ever with a 30% enrollment growth over the past five years.
- 87% of our students are from Wyoming.
- 60% are from Sheridan County.
- Wyoming’s 23 counties and seven nearby states are home to 96% of students. A recent look Sheridan College graduates show that 58% remain in Wyoming after graduation.
- According to a 2009 Rockefeller Institute Study, Wyoming is number one in the nation for the number of certificates and associate degrees awarded per 100 high school graduates.
Sheridan College helps Wyoming youth stay in Wyoming and recruits other young adults to Wyoming to pursue and education and to help build our economy.
Sheridan College’s Future is bright
We are financially stable, our enrollment is strong, and our academic programs are excellent. Thanks to private donors, philanthropic support through the Sheridan College Foundation continues to support programs, scholarships, and facilities. As we look into the future, we must be proactive in our planning and in our actions. Sheridan College is planning for an enrollment of at least 2,500 students. We are committed to introducing innovation in health, natural and agriculture science and technical education to meet workforce needs and generate economic growth. We are grateful for our community friends and partners and will continue to build on those relationships throughout our service area.
I look forward to great things in the future and hope you will join us. If you have questions or want to learn more please call us at (307) 674-6446, visit us on the web at www.sheridan.edu, or just come by our main campus or Main Street campus for a visit, and to talk with one of our helpful staff. We are here for you, and my door is always open.
Sincerely,
Paul R. Young, Ph. D.
President, Northern Wyoming Community College District